Zdravko Cimbaljevic, Montenegro's First Openly Gay Man, Stared Down His Own Obituary

In a country as small as Montenegro, news of one's own demise travels fast.

Last July, Zdravko Cimbaljevic was more than a little surprised to read his own obituary in the local newspaper.

Published a day before the country's first Pride event ever, here's a rough translation. And a WARNING, the following contains obscene language:

'With his blown-out ass, we announce that on the day of July 24 2013 in 12 a.m., in front of the Walls of The Old Town Budva, his soul will depart in death, our afflicted and never overfucked brother … ZDRAVKO CIMBALJEVIC. Commemoration of the dearly screwed deceased will be held in former Government building.'

Cimbaljevic, the Balkan nation's first openly gay man, was preparing for a very precarious Pride indeed -- a march in the seaside city of Budva on July 24.

"But for me, I would be dead tomorrow," the 30-year-old tells the Huffington Post. "On the day of Pride."

"I was shocked. I didn't know that someone could go this far to do this kind of thing. I had gotten death threats, but for someone to prepare this for a newspaper and then print it and put it in the streets of Budva... it's insane to me."

The question would haunt him. Would he march in Pride? Would he keep that grim appointment?

"As an LGBT activist, as a gay man in public, who represents the community, I couldn't show my fear. I said to the community, they shouldnt be afraid because of this. We should go out on the streets tomorrow and protest and have Pride."

The next day, Cimbaljevic stepped outside and marched in the country's first Pride event, chanting alongside some 120 activists, 'Kiss the gays."

The mobs attended too. Their chant?

"Kill the gays."

And they came in far, far greater numbers.

The march turned into a run -- a desperate flight from raging hordes. The battered group was driven into the sea, where, finally, they were evacuated by boats.

"They had actually blocked the roads. They were throwing all the furniture they could lift -- glasses, bottles, bricks, everything."

To say Montenegro tolerates gays would be painfully generous.

It wasn't any easier last weekend, when undaunted gay rights supporters hazarded another march this time in the capital city of Podgorica. About 60 people were injured, after firebombs entered the mix.

The reaction was perhaps not surprising in a country where a survey from Ipsos Research found more than two-thirds of the population liken homosexuality to a disease -- and 80 per cent saying it should be neither seen nor heard in public.

Just ask the organizer of that first tiny, battered Pride march in Budva how much that law is worth.

In 2010, even before coming out as a gay man, Cimbaljevic was brutally attacked by a neighbour while walking his dog -- screaming hate. And showering him with kicks.

Then came an invitation from Canada. Would he attend Vancouver's Pride Parade in September and serve as its international grand marshal?

Cimbaljevic didn't hesitate.

'I wanted to share my experience with people here, especially young people who sometimes forget what kind of society they live in," he explains. "There are societies where we can't even fight for our basic rights."

Indeed, imagine taking a walk in Cimbaljevic's shoes, in Niksic, the academic town at the foot of Montenegro's Mount Trebjesa, where he was born.

He returned there in 2010.

"I literally walked 100 metres and I couldn't walk any more," he recalls. "People were coming out of the bars with glass ashtrays, everything -- to hit me."

Police officers had to intervene, putting him in a car and driving him back to the capital of Podgorica. Away from Niksic, the city "where I was born, grew up, where my family lives."

He found little quarter from family, his father having cut him off completely years earlier. Then there was his mother.

'After some time, my mother said, 'Even though I don't support what you do because of the danger you face, you're my son, I can't reject you.'

After an all-too-brief respite in Vancouver, Cimbaljevic returned to Montenegro -- and to his home, where people spat on him regularly, hurled rocks, even trained their dogs to attack him.

Cimbaljevic wanted to know if the prosecutor had charged anyone from the July attacks on Pride. Or even the neighbour who had attacked him years earlier.

The judicial system gave him nothing.

'It didn't matter for the prosecutor," he says. "If someone wants to kill us it's not a priority for them."

Cimbaljevic spent the next month and a half in his apartment, because he didn't want to provoke neighbours by stepping outside.

And he hoped against hope for news from the prosecutor.

Still, nothing. He had lost 15 kilograms already. It was time to go to Canada, as a refugee, "because i couldn't live there."

Today, he's living in Vancouver, awaiting a final decision on whether he will be accepted as a landed immigrant in Canada.

And feeling somewhat miserable about he left behind.

But then there was last weekend. Another Pride event on the streets of Podgorica. The same sad story -- tear gas, tears, hatred and hurt.

Organizers of the March say nearly 2,000 officers were dispatched to shield some 200 marchers -- and those officers didn't buckle, even when mobs tried to charge the line at various points. One even broke his leg. Dozens more officers -- and protesters -- were injured.

But there was also triumph.

"As of today, gay people are no longer invisible in Montenegro," organizer Danijel Kalezic told the Associated Press. "From today, these streets are ours as well."

And there was Zdravko Cimbaljevic. Alive, even if in exile. But beaming back to the marchers from a cell phone, via Skype. And inspiring a sense of Pride.

"People were seeing my face on the phone and they were running to the phone and saying, 'Oh my God, Zdravko is here."

They sent kisses and shouted his name.

"It was really emotional for me. I was crying a lot."

This is the image they saw. The sign he is holding reads, 'I am at Pride too.'

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Gay Pride Around The World

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From Scott G. Brown aka Gene Brown, a member and participant of the 1969 Stonewall Inn raid and riots:
"My ailing health has prevented me from making this 1,200 mile trip by Bus for next week's Pride Parade, but I can, truthfully, say that I was there in June 2011."

From Ashley Bartolome: "I took these photos at the Pride Parade in Washington, DC on June 9, 2012."
What I love about pride is not only seeing but feeling the acceptance of everyone there. Gays, lesbians, heterosexuals and families attend every year supporting with cheers and smiles. I make it a point to attend pride every year not just for myself, but to give a voice and be a face for all LGBT people who can't speak up due to their closets or fears. I want to show them that it's ok to be who they are and there are countless Americans who accept them. I also like to be there out of respect for the LGBT who have been killed by others - or by their own hands - because of their sexuality.

From Welton Trindade, journalist and a gay activist: "I took part of Sao Paulo LGBT Parade. The march was realized on Sunday, June 10. That was the 16th edition of the event. Well, I wanted to show my body but a parade, in my opinion, is not just fun!
So I've decided to show my muscles and, in the same time, to send a good message. The solution: to write 'Poder gay' (or 'Gay power') on my chest! It was a great experience!"

From Eva Adams: "Hundreds of thousands came out to celebrate gay rights in Berlin this year and I had the privilege of riding on a hetero-leaning wagon in support...It was extra special to land at the Reichstag with tens of thousands behind us celebrating love and tolerance. I'm not able to pick a best photo but needed to share. Thanks for your project!"

From Marilena: "I was at this year's national italian Gay Pride in Bologna! It was my first pride and it was amazing! I felt surrounded by so much love and most of all I felt safe and proud of who I am! Baci!"

From Evert Hermans & Birger De Rese: "We've been married for 4 years now. We're proud to have in Belgium legalized same sex marriage!"

From Nate Meyer: "I am an American teaching English here in South Korea, I recently

From married couple Andi & Carissa: "Our pup Simon enjoyed his first Pride Parade in West Hollywood on June 10!"

From Abby Lavin, a volunteer with shanghaiPRIDE, who shares this image of a "Pink Picnic" (photo taken by Linda Li)

From The Israel Project

From Chris Wadsworth: "This is (left to right) myself, Gareth and Daniel at Maspalomas GayPride 2012 in Gran Canaria, Spain. The whole island (and thousands from all over Europe) turn up for the week long event every May to celebrate and meet LGBT people from all over the world!"

From Memo Macas: "It was the first time that I ever participated in the event and I really enjoyed it, next year I'll go with my boyfriend to Mexico City's Pride Parade."

From Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge: "We made history in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Saturday, June 23, with the first ever statewide Equality March. Here's a picture of both the youngest and the oldest marchers!"

From Daniel Douglass, founder/director of Flaggots: "Here's a photo of FLAGGOTS performing to Whitney Houston's 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody' at Philly Pride, June 10.
FLAGGOTS are a group of friends from the color guard and drum corps community that come together to celebrate Pride in a most fabulous way. Founded in 1991, they have performed in at least one pride event a year for 23 consecutive years.'

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Sergeant Don Mueller and LAX Airport Police Officer David Ayala celebrate pride as they prepare to march with over 60 other openly gay officers in the 2012 West Hollywood CSW Pride Parade.

From Bob Brennan: "Also there was a party at Allah Moana Beach Park. Everybody was gay that day."

From Keli Stooksberry: The picture on the right is my friend Courtney talking to protesters. The picture on the left is of my partner DeAnna and I kissing in front of the protesters.
This was my second pride and the first interaction with protesters. I was not surprised but still overwhelmed by their presence in such a wonderful and uplifting celebration. My friend Courtney had one of them speechless by the end of their conversation not by throwing obscenities his way but rather using her knowledge of scripture. Again, I was not surprised that the man she spoke with had no more knowledge of the bible than the words written on his sign but it was priceless to see him have nothing left to say because Courtney was right!

From John Desselle: "It only took what, 42 years, for Baton Rouge to have a state wide Equality March. Headed up by Capital City Alliance: www.ccabatonrouge.org, we had representatives from all over the state. About 300 people showed up for the march. Most went on to our Baton Rouge Pride Festival which was at LSU Student Union this year."

From Michael Cruz: "I am the Secretary of the Queens Pride Lions Club. We are the first LGBT Lions Club in NYC.
Here is a photo of us marching in the Queens Pride 2012 parade on June 3."

From Teena Lashmore: "Hi from Berlin!"

Melanie Pang (in pink) taking a photo with the men (and "noodles") of Jenni's Noodle House, a Houston favorite.

From William George: "This is me at Indianapolis Pride 2012.
I consider myself a Pride aficionado. I love all the togetherness and the fun times. This year's Indianapolis Pride was the largest the city had ever hosted, with the festival expanding to twice the size it was previously. The headliners were Deborah Cox and Cazwell. While I didn't get to see him in person, I snapped this picture next to a promotional poster of him."

Jenny Lee tells us: "I am the girl wearing the rainbow sarong, under the banner that says 'Coming out, coming together.' It was taken in August 22, 2011 during a Wisconsin Pride parade. None of my friends was in the event. I had just finished my run that day when I noticed that something was going on.
When I realized it was a LGBTQ Pride event, I went home home, grabbed my sarong that I got in Thailand and jumped right into the parade to show my support and that's why the picture. I had only been in Madison, WI for about 3 months. I moved to the city for grad school. What I noticed about the community is that it's liberal, tolerant and I felt belong...I'm straight and I stand for equality."

From gay superhero: "I didn't manage to be at the parade from the beginning, but that gave me the chance to find myself at the head of the march later, as they were going up Stadiou street.
This is a central Athens street that saw a lot of disturbances during recent protests, including the death of three bank employees when their building caught fire. So it was nice to see a pacifist, colorful demonstration for a change."

Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy Baca and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck march in the 2012 West Hollywood CSW Pride Parade with over 60 openly gay peace officers from the LASD, LAPD, FBI and other police departments throughout southern California.

From Melissa: "This is me and my partner Jean. The first picture was taken at Toronto Pride in 2010 -- we are just up on Church Street. Our first pride and we are still very happily together 3 years later!"

From Bob: "Five-year-old corgi Carter (recently rescued from a shelter in Alabama) steps out Brooklyn to celebrate his first LGBT Pride in New York City."

From right to left: Stephanie (far right) with girlfriend Jackie (left of me) along with best friends Erika and Katie at Philadelphia Pride in front of the Ben Franklin Bridge at Penns Landing.

Sharon Needles performs at the Barefoot Wine Pride Kick Off Celebration in NYC on June 20.

From T.J.

From T.J.

Happy Gay Pride 2012 from Amarillo, TX -- Route 66 Cadillac Ranch!

Happy Gay Pride 2012 from Amarillo, Texas -- Cadilliac Ranch!

From T.J.

From Bob Brennan: "It was a gay (happy) sunny day on O'ahu. First there was a parade from Ala Moana Beach park to Kapiolani Park where there was a celebration. Also there was a party at Allah Moana Beach Park."

From Gary.

From Maosung Yao: "I went to [Long Island Pride] with my partner Walter last weekend and we had a good time with our friends as well.
The pride was great even thought it was small.

From Adam Barnhardt: "I'm the one with the rainbow mohawk, the one with the Pink hair and football gear is Emilio Cordova, and the one in white with the body paint is Loa Brannigan. We were featured in Metro State's student newspaper for our bizarre homemade outfits and all around theatrical method of showing pride in our true colors."

From Angela Huerta, rider: "First time [Kristin Holloway and I] participated in Dykes on Bikes!"

Sharon Needles performs at the Barefoot Wine Pride Kick Off Celebration in NYC on June 20.

From Ashley Bartolome: "I want to show them that it's ok to be who they are and there are countless Americans who accept them. I also like to be there out of respect for the LGBT who have been killed by others -- or by their own hands -- because of their sexuality."

The Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) is a multicultural youth agency for youth of all backgrounds with the mission to support youth and their families to live, work, and study with dignity, hope and joy.
LAYC staff and youth participants walked in the parade with hand-made tie-dye t-shirts handing out candy and information about LAYC's LGBT support services. We had a fantastic time feeling the love and support of the community.

From Betty Viveros: "I got the greatest experience to participate in my first of many PRIDE festivals in Phoenix, Arizona earlier this year. I went with a group of my closest friends who are all, like myself are huge LGBQT supporters.
Walking around shirtless guys and half-naked girls never looked so hot...literally. It hit 100 degrees that weekend!"

Sharon Needles fans root her on at the Barefoot Wine Pride Kick Off Celebration on June 20.

From Mark Peters, who took this photo of Providence's "Nighttime Illuminated Pride Parade" on June 16.

Miss Trans New England

Jeff, Sal and Michael enjoy beverages in the scorching heat.

From Kelly Gassman: "This is just one of the better photos I captured at our Cedar Rapids Pride Festival on June 2."

Ladyfag appears at the Barefoot Wine Pride Kick Off Celebration in NYC on June 20.

California Attorney General Kamala Harris speaking at the Getty House during the Mayor's Garden Party kicking off Pride in Los Angeles: "I am a daughter of parents who met when they fought for civil rights in the '60s.
I would not be standing here if people did not live and die in a courageous fight to defend everyone's civil rights."

L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at the Getty House for the Mayor's Garden Party celebrating Pride 2012.

Gerald McCullouch and Benjamin Soloman enjoy the Barefoot Wine Pride Kick Off Celebration on June 20.

From Albert D'Orazio: "I attended my first ever Gay Pride event at Long Beach, CA on May 20. It was fun. Pretty damn tame compared to what I hear what goes on at Mardi Gras.
It was awesome to celebrate diversity and to commemorate our struggle as a minority and to celebrate the rights we achieved."

This is a picture of my girlfriend Bethany and me, Chelsea. Our shirts read "She's The Other Half Of My Rainbow."
We went to our state's, Rhode Island, pride on Saturday, June 16. It was amazing. Everyone there kept telling us they loved our shirts, other LGBT couples told us their love stories, and even single ones saying they wish they had a love like ours.
It made me so proud and happy to be out and happily in a gay relationship.

From Emily Glynn: "Making friends and waiting for the parade!"

From Marc: "Our first trip to Key West was for 2012 Pride. We were struck not only by the heat of the sun, but the hotness of the go-go boys, the warmth of the residents and the unique, laid back aura of the Conch
Republic.
The celebration was impressive for a small town. It reminded us of a miniature version of Chicago's Pride, which we enjoyed last year. This pic was taken during the Pride parade."

A guest parties at the Barefoot Wine Pride Kick Off Celebration in NYC on June 20.

From The Israel Project.

From Angelique: "In the picture is myself and Regan as we held signs at the Minneapolis Pride 2012 June 24th parade.
My four kids (ages 14, 9, 8 and 5) and I had a great time cheering on the entire LGBT community while supporting my gay dads -- their grandparents! They are PROUD to have two grandpas and it was wonderful to celebrate their love and commitment to each other and to show our support to the LGBT community."

From Alexis Hoffman.

From Kathleen Keaty: "Pride Chicago was a family affair this year! Myself, in the blue striped dress, my 3 children, my niece Amanda and her partner, Jamie, My Uncle George and his partner, Scottie, and cousins Brittany, Kevin, and Sarah!"

From Carlos: "Here I am with my partner Mike Burns."

From Eva Chavela.

From Chuck Peterson.

From Stephen Walsh: "This was my first Pride Parade in NYC and even though my friend was stuck on the other side of the parade, I still had a great time watching the people and celebrating the one year anniversary of the legalization of gay marriage."

From Randall Reynolds: "This photo was taken on the evening of June 7. The fresh paint reflecting the night lights created a beautiful scene, and I happily complimented the city workers who had just finished the job. I hope the City of West Hollywood makes the 'Pridewalk' an annual part of LA Pride!"

From Scioto County Storm Chaser Center.

From John Kelly: "With DADT now history, the Colorado GLBT Color Guard was joined by Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper in leading Denver's 2012 Pride Parade. The Color Guard is presented the the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Veterans Rights. The group was co-founded by John J. Kelly and Sergeant of the Guard, Army Patoon Sergeant Luiza Fritz. The Color Guard is made up of recent veterans from the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force."

From De Kwok: "This photo showed a joyous woman and her sign in favor of Gay Marriage at the San Francisco Pride Parade 2012."

From Nate Meyer: "Homosexuality is not very well accepted here but that did not stop this small celebration from having a small voice."

From Bobby Mcmillin: "This year it was absolutely nuts, the neighborhood was more alive then I've ever seen, and half naked boys running around always helps any sun drenched event!"

From Jake Sheehy: "Me, my friend Dee and her girlfriend Jen over looking the American Legion Mall at Indianapolis Pride 2012."

From Jason and Tony, who were celebrating Pride outside of Stonewall Inn in NYC: "Residents of Maryland, we are looking forward to our Fall 2013 nuptials."

From Hannah Rosenbaum: "Here is a photograph taken of myself and my girlfriend Cynthia Stewart at the Pride Parade in NYC yesterday!"

From Jesse Hudgens.

From Kelly Green: "Having the best time ever in Chicago, Illinois supporting our rights!"

From Christopher Russell: "My friend president shar and i attended this years pride. It was my first SF pride ever and the diversity was amazing."

From Thomas Brain.

From Jeremy Bradon Rothschild.

Pals Mark Pasnik, David Smith and Gary Riotto celebrate Pride in New York.

From Memo Macas.

From Beth (with her partner Ian): "We had such a great time at this event. Everyone was so happy and so welcoming and warm. And people got a big kick out of my homemade unicorn outfit.
I thought a rainbow unicorn was a great symbol for Pride, and the costume was a fun way to show that I am an ally and a supporter of gay rights!"

From Marisa: "First time I went to Pride (and marched in it). I knew it was coming, yet I couldn't help be blown away by the churches shouting hate from a megaphone. Thankfully surrounding the hate rhetoric were other churches apologizing for the hate and offering love and inclusion."

Here are the ladies of Lucky Cheng's restaurant at this years NYC pride 2012. The sense of community on pride (especially in NYC) is amazing!!

For the first time ever, God's Love We Deliver and Whole Foods Market partnered together in support of the 43rd Annual Heritage of Pride March, marching under the tagline Feed Your Pride!
Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do at God's Love, as we cook and deliver more than 1 million meals each year to clients with life-altering illnesses. Today, God's Love operates only with the love, dedication and pride of nearly 8,000 volunteers each year to provide nourishment and love to their NYC neighbors who are too sick to shop or cook for themselves.
Whole Foods Market is dedicated to supporting team member happiness, diversity and community partners. We are excited to have teamed up this year for a community 5% day where 5% of the sales from all NYC stores was donated to none other than God's Love.
Together, with our community of volunteers and friends like Whole Foods Market NYC, we proudly look forward to the next 25 years of serving nutritious meals to people living with all severe illnesses.
For more information, please visit www.godslovewedeliver.org and http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com. Follow them on Twitter @godslovenyc and @wholefoodsnyc.

From Steven Bourgeois: "My partner and I were fortunate enough this year to actually participate. We were asked to drive the car for the Grand Marshal, Evan Wolfson and his partner Cheng He."

Happy Pride from Time Warner Cable.

From Eriq: "As a gay man, my journey to love God and come to terms with my sexuality has been one of the toughest in my life. A journey of being told that "God hates fags" or "You're going to hell" and even "God doesn't love you", finally ended when I found Park Avenue Christian Church -- an open and affirming church in NYC, where we embrace the divinity of difference. Everyday I thank God for each and every one in our growing community at The Park, they have been an inspiration to me -- expressing an unconditional love and showing endless support.
I will continue to pray that God changes the hearts of those that are not only filled with hatred, but that teach hatred -- God doesn't hate anyone, God loves EVERYONE! Park Avenue Christian Church, where we #EmbraceDifference."

Here's a picture of me, Todd Tif Fernandez (right), and partner Giovanni Miranda (left) holding the "Seek Full Equality" banner on 5th Avenue in NYC Pride on June 24th, 2012.

From Blake Bailes (in neon): "Here is my friend and I at Minneapolis, Minnesota Pride on Sunday.
Totally worth the 48 hours of being in Minneapolis and the 12 hour car trip from Kansas City to be there with my family of friends."

From Kay Hansen.

From Morgan & Marilyn: "My partner and I accidentally ended up riding in the parade last year on our Vespa, and we had the time of our lives. So much so that when pride time rolled around this year, I made sure to sign us up to ride with the New York Sirens motor cycle club. Our neighbor is a photographer for one of the local papers and snapped this great shot! We had an absolute BLAST! We will continue to lead the parade from now on!"

From Frank X: "We staged a primary care center on our parade float. I work for Southwest CARE Center (HIV/AIDS medical facility) and we are expanding and opening Santa Fe's first ever GLBTQ primary care center in the fall!"